I've never purchased a new car, and I may never do so, but this is due to the fact that I do all my own repairs, and I'm fully aware that puts me in a different scenario than most. Further, cars are liabilities not assets, everyone knows this. Now, don't get me wrong, with creative accounting, the liability and associated costs of car ownership can be mitigated, but that process does not apply to me because our household income is below the overall average. What I can say though is, I've always been a saver, and financially responsible, I don't window shop. Finally, just because I can buy a new car, which I can (but nothing exotic), doesn't mean that I should, I have other priorities in my life (education, home ownership expenses, etc.)